Ulster Unionist Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy launched the roll out of a £375,000 upgrade for pedestrian crossings, throughout the Armagh and Banbridge areas, today.
The Minister confirmed the investment when he switched on the new Pedestrian User Friendly Intelligent, (PUFFIN) Crossing, on Main Street, in Markethill. The Minister then opened the recently replaced Cusher and Mowhan River bridges near Mountnorris.
The construction of the replacement bridges cost £320,000. Speaking at the switch-on of the Markethill PUFFIN crossing the Minister said:
“PUFFIN crossings offer both enhanced safety and traffic flow features. The benefits of extended pedestrian crossing time, and the holding of the vehicles on red rather than flashing amber, certainly make PUFFIN crossings more pedestrian friendly.”
Launching the rollout of the crossing upgrade the Minister said:
“The investment of some £200,000 will upgrade existing controlled crossing facilities in Armagh city and its rural towns. A further £175,000 of funding is also planned in the Banbridge District Council area to upgrade the remaining controlled crossings within the district and to provide new crossings at Main Street, Rathfriland and Huntly Road, Banbridge. This investment will see improved crossings for pedestrians and also has the potential to contribute to better traffic flows in both council areas.”
The major differences between PUFFINS and Pelicans are that PUFFINS have the red/green man on the push button unit beside the pedestrian; there is no flashing amber signal to drivers – they are held on a red signal until pedestrians have completed their crossing. The time for pedestrians to cross the road can be extended by sensors which detect people still on the crossing. Drivers also benefit from PUFFINS when a pedestrian pushes the button and then moves away, the demand for the green man is cancelled so drivers do not experience an unnecessary delay. Opening the recently replaced Mowhan River and Cusher bridges at Mountnorris the Minister said:
“These bridges provide an important link across the Mowhan River and the confluence of the Blackwater and Creggan Rivers which become the Cusher River in the Newry and Mourne district. The new precast reinforced concrete bridges have a masonry design which is in keeping with their rural settings. Both structures are built to high safety standards and will carry vehicles for the benefit of the local community.”
The bridge design and supervision work was carried out by Roads Service. McCallan Brothers Ltd was the contractor for the £200,000 Mowhan River Bridge scheme. Highway Barrier Solutions Ltd reconstructed the £120,000 Cusher Bridge.
